The government seems to have hatched a new plan to persuade county governments to enter a multibillion-shilling contract for the supply of leased medical equipment.
The new contract, according to Council of Governor vice chairperson Mutahi Kahiga, has been forced on counties because they have no financial headroom to buy the equipment they need to conduct tests and diagnose patients.
But it is disturbing that the Ministry of Health decided, without consulting governors, to sign contracts with equipment suppliers and forcing counties to shoulder the huge financial burden.
Ten years ago, ministry bureaucrats in cahoots with business cartels burdened counties with machines valued at Sh56 billion that ended up gathering dust in hospital stores and corridors.
The equipment was forced down the throats of governors and those who resisted were threatened with political consequences. The net effect was billions paid out to suppliers with no corresponding value to the sick.
The new lease deal is shrouded in mystery. Governors have been made to sign without having an idea as to what they are signing and even the details of the machines.
This is the very infuriating approach to the management of public affairs that inspired the Gen Z revolt.
The MoH and governors must have a transparent and clear approach and anything that is not above board must be rejected in totality.
Quote of the Day: “For all evils there are two remedies – time and silence.”
Alexandre Dumas
The French author (The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo) died on December 5, 1870